Betty Blue Eyes closes early 24 Sep 2011 at Novello

The new comedy musical Betty Blue Eyes, has posted early closing notices for 24 Sep 2011, after a run of only 6 months at the Novello Theatre. (The show was originally taking bookings to 28 Jan 2012)

Producer, Cameron Mackintosh said, "It is very curious - after such amazing reviews and positive word of mouth, no-one knows the real reason why Betty couldn't find a bigger audience. We have been consistently playing to just over 50 percent but it just isn't enough to cover the costs. Of course I am disappointed but I'm not despondent, I am enormously proud of Betty. I know that she will eventually have her day and another life".

Betty Blue Eyes opened at the Novello Theatre from 13 April 2011, following previews from 19 March 2011, to good notices from the popular press: Superbly endearing and entertaining show (Telegraph); Witty and delightful (Guardian).

Directed by Richard Eyre, it has book by Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman, adapted from an original story by Alan Bennett and Malcolm Mowbray and the screenplay of 'A Private Function' by Alan Bennett. Music is by George Stiles and lyrics are by Anthony Drewe.

Cast includes Sarah Lancashire (Joyce), Reece Shearsmith (Gilbert), David Bamber (Swaby), Jack Edwards (Allardyce), Ann Emery (Mother Dear), Mark Meadows (Lockwood), Adrian Scarborough (Wormold).

Designed by Tim Hatley, lighting by Neil Austin , sound by Mick Potter.

A comedy musical set in 1947, the story concerns an upwardly mobile chiropodist and his wife. He and his wife are in immediete and austere post Britain.. The Second World War might been over over two years, but food rationing is still in place. Food rationing has made things worse than during the war itself. Within this hierarchy of a very small town, desperate times call for desperate measures. Particularly when it comes to trying to prepare a fine pork roast to celebrate the royal wedding. The chiropodist and his wife steal a pig in order to fatten her up for a banquet celebrating the impending wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten. But the pig is not as co-operative as they want her to be.